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Canada Prepares to Join E.U. Military Industry Buildup

edited March 19 in Other Investing
Following are excerpts from a current report in The New York Times:

Canada’s draft deal to participate in Europe’s defense industry will bring contracts to Canadian manufacturers and help lessen dependence on the United States.
Canada is in advanced talks with the European Union to join the bloc’s new project to expand its military industry, a move that would allow Canada to be part of building European fighter jets and other military equipment at its own industrial facilities.

The budding defense cooperation between Canada and the European Union, which is racing to shore up its industry to lower reliance on the United States, would boost Canada’s military manufacturers and offer the country a new market at a time when its relationship with the United States has become frayed. Shaken by a crisis in the two nations’ longstanding alliance since President Trump’s election, Canada has started moving closer to Europe. The military industry collaboration with the European Union highlights how traditional U.S. allies are deepening their ties without U.S. participation to insulate themselves from Mr. Trump’s unpredictable moves.

Canada’s new leader, Prime Minister Mark Carney, this week made Paris and London the destinations of his first overseas trip since taking office on Friday, calling Canada “the most European of non-European countries.”

Two officials, one from the European Union and one from Canada, with direct knowledge of the discussions said detailed talks were underway to incorporate Canada into the European Union’s new defense initiative. The goal is to boost the E.U.’s defense industry and eventually offer a credible alternative to the United States, which is now dominant.

Specifically, the officials said, Canada would be able to become part of the European military manufacturing roster, marketing its industrial facilities to build European systems like the Saab Gripen jet, a competitor to the American F-35, which is made by Lockheed Martin. According to the terms of the discussion Canada would also be given preferential access to the E.U. market for military equipment, an alternative to buying equipment from the United States.

Comments

  • This was preceded by Canada rethinking its F-35 purchase.

    With all the chatter of a possible F-35 kill switch, it’s a smart move. Even if not true, the “kill switch” would come in the form of turning off support/updates to software, firmware and hardware.
  • How many of us know a Canadian who has told us " I will never visit your A**hole country again? "

    We were planning to go to Paris next year

    It will be risky but I hope if I get a "Biden Harris" hat no one will attack me

    I do not think most Americans realize how much the rest of the world is beginning to hate us
  • Many European leaders and member of the commentariate have noted that, indeed, the US was subsidizing their defense so that they could focus on welfare state issues. And, a couple of US commentators have noted that Europe has not made much of a move to become self sufficient since Obama and others have raised the issue, and that the US going up against China will require an unimaginable amount of resources (and could come to a head in 2027).

    Whether the above is true or not, the way Trump has gone about all of this is revolting.

    And, take heart, he's as hell-bent on blowing things up here as he is abroad. The "move fast and break things" approach is meant to destroy agencies, even if he actions are eventually ruled illegal (and, Federal employees get re-hired). This is why he didn't care if he had competent people in key cabinet posts.

    The narcisistic flailing out at judges threatens to undermine the judiciary. When judges start disappearing, you know the end is indeed here.

  • @sma3. I’m heading to Switzerland/Austria in 2 months. Fortunately, when I was in Canada last fall, I picked up a fleece with a Canadian flag on the sleeve. I’ll be wearing that.

  • And at the border this summer: "What is your citizenship?"
    US and Ireland. But don't hold the former against me, please.
  • While overseas I've been telling people I'm Canadian for much of my adult life (I'm half USA and Canadian). I have small Canadian flag patches on my bags and name tags with the Canadian flag on the back of the tag. Having people think I'm Canadian makes a difference when traveling overseas and even saved my life at least once that I know of.
  • If you don't mind sharing, I'm curious how identifying as a Canadian saved your life while traveling.
  • edited March 20
    I've lived in and traveled to roughly 75 countries. In 2002 I was working in Bangkok and had to visit a customer in Phuket (a resort area in the south of Thailand). Before leaving Bangkok I received an email from the Canadian embassy alerting me of people in the airport wanting to prick Americans with AIDS filled needles. Only Americans. I made it through security and had no problems.

    After meeting my customer in Phuket I went through the airport security in Phuket and sat to read a magazine near my departure gate. I noticed an Asian woman approaching each Causasian man. When she came to me she asked, "Excuse me sir, are you American?". I said no and showed her my Canadian flag patch. She smiled and walked away. No other foreigners looked like Americans, so we all lived.

    I've never had anyone come up to me and specifically ask me if I'm American, only this one time. It's common for people to ask me where I'm from, and most of these people are simply being curious and kind. But not this once!
  • Wow!
    Thanks for sharing.
  • You're welcome. I'm proud of being a citizen of both nations but around the world people are often more open to speaking with me and getting to know me if they think I'm Canadian, eh!
  • Canada also just 'jumped ahead of the USA' in getting a swanky new Australian radar system, too.

    Good for them.
  • Population and economy one-tenth the size of the USA. I almost ended-up in Canada full-time. But I'm happy not to have had to endure the winters in the southern interior of B.C. High cost of living. Otherwise, pretty awesome place.
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